Day 1 – The wait is over..

I’m here in Moscow eight years after being diagnosed with MS, finally about to be given the chance to get rid of it.

So Monday morning we got up bright and early, ready to hit Heathrow for around 6.45am. Had to get all the bag’s in, BBC Radio Surrey soon wanted a live chat around 7am before I left. Can’t say no, I’m such a media tart these days.

All went pretty smoothly, other than the flight missing it’s slot. And then perhaps on takeoff looking across at another passengers screen in time to see Eddie Redmayne slipping Bob and the twin back between his legs. …that guy never does any role by halves does he.

Arrived in Moscow and then the A.A. Maximov Hospital in good time. Immediately met by Anastasia and Dr Fedorenko, who spoke a little about what’s to come and then got settled in my room. Big hugs and smiles from them both, a lovely welcome indeed.

With enough time to point my video camera at the television and toilet, edit it up, eat a bit of stew and then to bed. (both video and radio interview below)

Then Day 1. Got woken up around 7am by a nurse wanting a swab of my mouth. Not at all the right time to go anywhere near that fly trap, perhaps all the reason to maybe? Then ‘Nose’, ‘what do you mean Nose?’. …I closed my eyes and just laid back down, knowing that probably that this won’t be the worst that’s going to happen to me this month. Then quickly after the next nurse with a couple of pots, I guess she wants me to perform a liquid sample for her, that doesn’t read too well, in privacy I must add. Just as I consider putting my head back down, another walks in with quite a few empty blood vials. Again just lay back, listening to several popping noises as each filled, shook and scrutinised in the light. I’m not sure what she was expecting to see? …Fish?

Then onto an action packed day of X-rays, MRI scanning and multiple ultrasounds. Enough to give the good Dr.F a complete roadmap, periodical table and dipstick test of this semi-functional lump of a body of mine. Far more than my Neurologist has ever done for me back home.

Pretty much on the final test I return to my room to find my Mum and wife Jen waiting for me. My entourage, giving me all the support, love, Coke and Pringle’s I could need. I tell them how I’ve been pulled, poked and pushed in the name of medical science and hoping that’s the last of it.

Anastasia then comes back to the room saying that there’s going to be a little party at 4pm and we should all come along. A little ceremony for those that have been through most of their treatment, having received their stem cell’s back. Something to celebrate their re-birth/new life, the worst is behind them and now for recovering what will hopefully be the most of what their MS has taken from them. Congratulations to Sandy and Berit! (From Washington, US and Norway respectively) I will post up their ceremony video up soon.

Then I was told that with all my tests completed, I didn’t have to stay in hospital that night and could enjoy a night away with Jen. We made the most of it with room service and a film. Chicken burgers and chips and we watched Morning Glory, for those that need the detail.

what do you mean” please don’t wait to get treatment”?
ie should I get it now, don’t wait to hear how people do with it?
Lots of neurologists say it’s not very effective
I don’t think they are being bribed by big pharma, I think that’s what the studies are showing
That’s why I’d love to hear how you do with this

Absolutely don’t wait – it’ll be close to ten years before the NHS could license it – and then will you even fit the criteria? I’ve battled/educated so many neuros into seeing my way – It IS effective – it DOES work. They end up holding their hands up because they’ve admitted that they don’t know enough. Please find the HSCT groups on Facebook to be enlightened, really!!
Do MS you way – not theirs!!! Please do it. 🙂 Alex